The Lions will know that they’re in for a massive test in their URC opener as they prepare to host two-time defending champions Leinster in Johannesburg.

Ivan van Rooyen’s side could hardly have asked for a tougher start though, against a star-studded Leinster side who lifted the trophy in the last two seasons, eliminating the Lions in the 2025 quarter-finals along the way.

Leinster have struggled in South Africa though, winning just one of their last eight matches in the Republic – against the Sharks in March 2025 – while the Lions won this corresponding fixture in April 2024 by

Read the full article from The South African Rugby here.